what is this!? algae??

[bazeball05]

So I have a brand new tank and just started cycling it for a couple days now and this just appeared... what is it?!

 

[fort384]

Hard to tell from the photos as they are pretty blue, but is it cyano bacteria? What color is the algae?

 

[Leonardo7689]

Sponge.... Try to scrape a little bit off and see.

 

[bazeball05]

It is like a mucus /jelly substance. It it grayish clear

 

[fort384]

Sounds like a form of cyano bacteria to me if it is like mucus.

If you can make a positive ID that it is indeed cyano, I would consider erythromycin treatment.

 

[bazeball05]

Is this okay if the tank just started to cycle?

 

[Leonardo7689]

Based on what I read, it's a bacterial film. It grows on die offs and decays and part of the cycle. Make sure you turn your skimmer on and aerate the water as well to remove excess nutrients. Possibly more water flow

 

[bazeball05]

Okay thank you for the help!

 

[fort384]

Yes I agree, more flow can help. If you just started the cycle, you can see if this stuff runs its course with just flow and skimming. If not, erythromycin will eradicate it.

 

[bazeball05]

So I found out what the algea/bacteria was... it is a Moss called lykin dying off in the water.. won't hurt a thing... it was in a piece of dry rock that has not touched saltwater. If anyone ever has this problem, don't worry!